πατέω (G3961) — Greek Lexicon

πατέω

patéō

G3961 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To tread or step upon with the feet; primarily denotes physical trampling, stepping, or walking on (as over a path or object). By extension, can mean 'to trample down' in the sense of subduing, destroying, or treating something with disregard. In both literal and figurative contexts, the word expresses the act of pressing with the feet, whether walking over land, objects, or even persons, or implying contempt or domination by force.

Semantic Range

to tread, to walk upon, to trample down, to crush (by foot), to subdue forcibly, to treat with contempt (by trampling), to walk over

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root πατ- (pat-) which is likely a variant or derivative of παίω (paiō, 'to strike, beat'), though the connection is not completely certain. Closely related to Latin 'pateo' and Greek πάτος (patos, 'a trodden way, path').

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, πατέω most often refers to physical movement—treading upon a path, walking over fields, or trampling grapes. In Koine Greek, including the New Testament, it maintains both literal and metaphorical senses: for example, trampling snakes (Luke 10:19), and symbolically crushing enemies or hostile powers. In some contexts (e.g., Revelation 11:2), it connotes profanation—treating something holy with contempt by trampling. The Septuagint uses πατέω for similar concepts, often translating Hebrew terms meaning to trample or subdue. English translations such as 'trample' or 'tread under foot' capture the basic sense but may underplay the full range from simple walking to acts of contempt or violent suppression.

Translation Consistency

primary "trample" 3 occurrences

πατέω primarily conveys stepping on with force or contempt — literal trampling and the extended sense of crushing/subduing or treating with contempt. "Trample" is the natural, idiomatic English that covers both the physical and figurative senses and will render consistently across forms.

Alternatives (2 occurrences):

"tread upon" (1x) "treads" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from a derivative probably of παίω (meaning a "path"); to trample (literally or figuratively):--tread (down, under foot).

Root Family

πατέω (pateō) — to tread, to step, to trample

Root πατ- to tread, to step, to trample

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G3961-02`	πατεῖ	patei	`V PRS ACT IND 3P SG`	treads	treads	treads	1
`G3961-01`	ἐπατήθη	epatethe	`V AOR PASS IND 3P SG`	was trodden	was trampled	was trampled	1
`G3961-04`	πατήσουσιν	patesousin	`V FUT ACT IND 3P PL`	they will trample	they will trample	they will trample	1
`G3961-03`	πατεῖν	patein	`V PRS ACT INF`	to tread	to tread upon	to tread upon	1
`G3961-05`	πατουμένη	patoumene	`V PRS PASS PTCP NOM F SG`	trodden down	being trampled	being trampled	1

Occurrences in Scripture

5 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G3961-03`	Luke 10:19	πατεῖν	patein	`V PRS ACT INF`	to tread	to tread upon	to tread upon
`G3961-05`	Luke 21:24	πατουμένη	patoumene	`V PRS PASS PTCP NOM F SG`	trodden down	being trampled	being trampled
`G3961-04`	Revelation 11:2	πατήσουσιν	patesousin	`V FUT ACT IND 3P PL`	they will trample	they will trample	they will trample
`G3961-01`	Revelation 14:20	ἐπατήθη	epatethe	`V AOR PASS IND 3P SG`	was trodden	was trampled	was trampled
`G3961-02`	Revelation 19:15	πατεῖ	patei	`V PRS ACT IND 3P SG`	treads	treads	treads

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